However, because Quasney has stage IV ovarian cancer and will likely die in the next year, the couple requested immediate recognition of their 2013 marriage in Massachusetts, the Indianapolis Star reported.

The couple is concerned that Quasney may die if they wait for the lawsuit to take a normal course. If she dies before her marriage is recognized by the state, she would be listed as an unmarried woman on her death certificate.

A brief filed in federal court in Indianapolis said that if that happens, it will "interfere with Amy’s ability to take care of Niki’s affairs after her death, and to access the safety net generally available to a surviving spouse and a decedent’s children."

"If courts routinely grant case-by-case exceptions to statutes without legislative authority to do so, then the rule of law could be undermined; so the State, which is entitled to a defense, must urge respect for the current rule of law," Corbin said in a statement.

Federal judge Richard Young scheduled a telephone conference for 2 p.m. Friday with the attorneys involved in the lawsuit to address, the Indianapolis Star reported.

Do you think Indiana should recognize same-sex marriage? Do you think it should make an exception for Quasney and Sandler?